December 19 2023
5 Reasons to visit Ichingo Lodge
There are many reasons to book your next African adventure to Namibia, but the 5 reasons outlined below should be enough to convince you to book at Ichingo Chobe River Lodge.
If you have a yearning to venture into the wilds of Africa and discover the beauty that this great continent has to offer, then perhaps Ichingo and the greater Chobe region deserve your attention.
Words by recent guest, and avid fisherman Gero Lilleike.
1. Experience Victoria Falls
A major attraction for any visitor to this region is the spectacular Victoria Falls, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Its local name is Mosi-oa-Tunya, ‘the smoke that thunders’. Witnessing the sheer power and magnitude of Victoria Falls is a must-do experience.
Your trip to Victoria Falls can easily be included in your travel itinerary when you book your stay at Ichingo Chobe River Lodge.
Ichingo Chobe River Lodge is situated on Impalila Island in Namibia on the eastern end of the Caprivi Strip where the mighty Zambezi River and the Chobe River converge and indeed this is the only place in the world where the borders of 4 countries, Namibia, Zambia, Botswana and Zimbabwe meet, hence its name, the Kazungula Quadripoint.
2. Tiger fishing at its best
If your dream is to catch tigerfish in a wild, untamed setting, then Ichingo Chobe River Lodge must be on your shortlist.
The lodge is ideally situated on the Chobe River and guests have boat access to the nearby Kasai channel which is considered to be one of the best locations for catching tigerfish.
Ichingo does offer conventional fishing tackle but fly fishermen are encouraged to bring their own tackle. Experienced and knowledgeable river guides are on hand to ensure that you catch the tigerfish of your dreams!
3. Birdlife and wildlife abound at Ichingo
Nature and animal lovers will be right at home at Ichingo where a large variety of birds and wildlife are to be viewed and appreciated.
The Chobe River is home to over 450 bird species, making this region a mecca for avid bird watchers. While birding is excellent throughout the year, the official birding season starts in September with the arrival of migrating bird species that boost the local bird population by as much as 20% during the Spring and Summer months.
For those interested in spotting Africa’s incredible variety of game, you won’t be disappointed! The Chobe River itself is home to crocodiles and hippos which are a common sight. More so, neighbouring Botswana is home to the largest elephant population in the world and the nearby Chobe National Park is easily accessed by boat from Ichingo where guests can enjoy a unique and rewarding game viewing experience.
Wildlife photographers will be able to photograph a large variety of animals, including the Big 5, up close!
4. Experience friendly staff and local culture
One of the major highlights of staying at Ichingo is its people and the community that the lodge supports.
The unforgettable smile and hospitality that Lodge Manager, Kennedy Ilunga, imparts on guests adds to the magic of this place but that magic, however, is also expressed in the personalities of the river guides, chefs and broader staff at Ichingo. The friendliness of the staff and the quality of the food is what makes the experience at Ichingo that much more intriguing and special!
More than this, Ichingo Chobe River Lodge is entrenched in the community of Impalila Island. Guests can visit the nearby Kafubu village and discover the local culture which is a must-do activity when visiting Ichingo.
5. All-inclusive stay at Ichingo
Undoubtedly a major benefit for guests is that your stay is all-inclusive which means that your accommodation, meals (including 3 meals and snacks), all drinks (including a fully stocked cooler box for your boat, local beers and wine, tea, coffee, juice and water etc), a dedicated river guide and your very own tender boat (including 25L of fuel per day) to explore the Chobe River for the purpose of fishing, birdwatching or game viewing.
Note that Ichingo also has a larger dedicated game-viewing boat fully equipped with camera mounts which is ideal for bird and wildlife photographers.
Everything is taken care and all you have to do is show up and enjoy!